u/Leonard-42

I saw someone previously posted this piece of awesomeness which totally captured the experience starting-up one:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cassettefuturism/comments/1s8tppf/how_to_start_a_c4_corvette/

Sauce: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/tgs-guide-concepts-bizzarrini-manta

Sauce: https://www.motor1.com/features/393554/alfa-romeo-navajo-bertone-supercar-sunday/

Sauce: https://www.thedrive.com/news/43969/daihatsu-ta-x80-powered-by-1-0l-turbo-v6-is-peak-bubble-era-craziness

A 1985 concept for Buick, using a name that had been used for three other concept cars in the 1950s, but with a far more futuristic approach.

The 1985 Wildcat had a canopy roof that lifted up and forward instead of doors, four-wheel drive, and a fully exposed dual overhead-cam V6 in the mid-engine position.

The engine was restricted to 230 horsepower to be compliant with federal emissions laws, but was capable of 360 hp. Even in its 230 hp configuration, it was a full second faster from 0-60 than a Lamborghini Countach, and its top speed of 180 mph was only 2 mph slower than the Countach.

It's still functional and on display at the GM Heritage Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PoJ8HPtu1g

Sauce: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/dome-zero-the-fascinating-1970s-japanese-supercar-that-came-out-of-nowhere-216650.html

A lot of my pals in the early 80s had a vector or contact poster alongside their Heather Thomas ones lol

Vector W8 pushed the wedge-shaped supercar formula to its absolute limit, replacing Italian elegance with styling inspired by modern fighter aircraft. Conceived by Jerry Wiegert to demonstrate American engineering capabilities, the car emerged as a radical alternative to Europe's established supercar hierarchy. Its design abandoned conventional styling in favor of an unmistakable aviation influence.

Its structure combined bonded aluminum honeycomb construction with a chrome-moly tubular safety cage, while carbon-kevlar body panels and multi-layer shatter-resistant glass reinforced the aerospace-inspired theme. Power came from a twin-turbocharged V-8 derived from a drag racing engine, delivering explosive acceleration once the turbochargers came on boost.

The cockpit completed the fighter jet theme with a military-grade CRT display and aircraft-style toggle switches. Despite claimed top speeds exceeding 220 mph, persistent reliability problems, extreme cabin heat, and a series of high-profile mechanical failures—including the fire that destroyed Andre Agassi's car—ultimately undermined the project. Production ended after just 17 customer cars before the company changed hands.

Would dialing back the ambitious goals slightly have been enough for the Vector, or was outperforming all competitors the only way to stand even a minimal chance of success?

Piaggio Spazio 3 urban mobility utility vehicle. Designed by Paolo Martin in 1984 and built by Maggiora. A much cooler version of the Piaggio Ape.

Buick designed this concept for the 1983 Chicago auto show. It had many features that would seem typical now, but were wild for the time. Remote door locks that activated the interior gadgets at the same time, including a "Sentinel" that automatically adjusted the seat position, pedals, steering column, and infotainment settings to the individual driver. Keyless start, heads-up display, cameras for mirrors, and satellite navigation.

The exterior design is a harbinger of the Reatta to come five years later, still one of my favorite cars ever.